Waarom het water van je douche invloed heeft op je haar en huid
We choose our shampoo carefully, our facial care with attention—and we never wonder what the water contains that rinses them away. Here, without dramatizing or making magical promises, is what water quality changes in a beauty routine.
What tap water in France actually contains
French tap water is one of the most strictly monitored products in the country: it is safe and drinkable in the vast majority of municipalities. But “drinkable” does not mean “ideal for hair”. Two characteristics vary greatly from one municipality to another:
- Hardness (limescale). This measures the calcium and magnesium content, expressed in French degrees (°f). Below 15 °f, water is relatively soft; above 25–30 °f, it is hard to very hard. Many regions of France—Île-de-France, the North, the East and the Rhône Valley—have hard water.
- Chlorine. Essential for ensuring that water remains safe all the way to the tap, it can nevertheless affect skin comfort and the smell of the water.
There may also occasionally be sediments (particles or traces of rust from old pipes).
What hard water does to hair
When mineral-rich water dries on the hair fibre, it can leave deposits behind. Wash after wash, these deposits build up: hair becomes rougher to the touch, duller and harder to detangle. Coloured hair may see its colour change more quickly; curls lose definition. This explains a paradox many people know well: changing shampoo makes no difference because the problem is not the shampoo.
What chlorine and limescale do to the skin
After showering, some skin feels tight, especially in winter and in hard-water regions. Limescale can leave an uncomfortable film, while chlorine is associated with sensations of dryness. Nothing dangerous—but daily discomfort, twice a day, all year round.
The simple test: measure before changing anything
Before buying anything (including from us), do two things:
- Check your municipality’s official results on the Ministry of Health website (water health monitoring)—our Test your water page will guide you there.
- Test your shower with a test strip: 60 seconds, and you’ll know.
What a shower filter can do (and what it cannot)
A multi-media shower filter such as NOPAL PURE SHOWER helps reduce chlorine and filter certain impurities and sediments. Many users notice softer-feeling hair and less tightness.
What it does not do: it does not completely remove limescale (only a central water softener affects the hardness of water throughout the entire home), it does not treat any skin condition, and it does not replace medical advice in the event of a dermatological problem. If a brand promises otherwise, be wary.
The complete soft-water routine
- Test your water
- Filter your shower
- Massage your scalp
- Dry with microfibre
- Replace the cartridge every 2–3 months
Discover the NOPAL PURE SHOWER routine
Sources: data from the health monitoring of drinking water (ministry responsible for health); manufacturer test reports (page Compliance & Safety).